Awakening Wednesday — Diabetic Feet

In one of our company’s recent “Tuesday Trivia” posts on our Awakening Skincare Facebook page, some interesting little factoids were laid out concerning how many “components” it takes to “construct” 1-square inch of human skin. This blog posting talks about how that componentry might affect diabetic feet. The skin components in that 1-sq. in. of skin are these:

The American Diabetes Association is one of the preeminent authorities on the subject of diabetic feet. The feet of folks suffering from diabetes are particularly susceptable to a range of complications: Nerve damage (neuropathy), calluses, foot ulcers, skin issues and poor circulation. As the disease progresses, nerves can become damaged and the damaged nerves then fail to regulate the proper functioning of those 90 oil glands, 19 feet of blood vessels and 625 sweat glands — on every single square inch of skin on each foot. Adequate instructions fail to get transmitted for the glands and vessels to hydrate and lubricate. Calluses form and skin becomes dry. Because the nerves are failing to send out proper sensation reports to the brain, a diabetic foot might be suffering an injury that can go overlooked.

Unnoticed injuries can lead to foot infections and ulcers.

The counsel and services of professionals such as podiatrists and physicians are important. Diabetic feet that are seriously neglected can end up being amputated.

Foot balms alone are not the answer to the health of that vast tangle of components in each 1 sq-inch sector of skin on diabetic feet. In fact, foot creams actually can make a bad situation worse, primarily if they are over-applied between the toes and result in overly moist areas than can incubate germs and fungus. Yet good foot balms, properly applied, can help in suibstantial ways.

So, what’s the definition of a “good” foot balm?

Inasmuch as our company formulates skin care products that emphasize high concentrations of natural minerals, oils and botanicals, I gravitate towards mineral foot balms as opposed to those that do not contain therapeutic minerals. In the 16 years we have been in business, we have recived unsolicited communications from many people who attest to the relief they have experienced after applying one or more of our balms.

Yes, we incorporate ingredients such as peppermint and camphor to cool and soothe, but so do a great many companies. Arnica Montana is an herb that lends help to the body’s healing system. But my opinion of what has made so many people pleased with their feet is our use of natural magnesium and potassium — with emphasis on the former of those two minerals. We isolate both minerals from the chloride mineral salts of the Dead Sea.

Dead Sea magnesium helps to dilate those 19 feet of blood vessels (mostly capillaries), which in turn nourish the skin tissue. Nourished skin tissue becomes less dry, less callused and less prone to infection. And since the balm also can be applied to the lower leg & calf, more skin ends up happiers & healthier.

Just want to introduce myself: I’m Rob Hardwicke, the President and Product Master of Awakening Skin Care. The goal of this blog is to be a participatory voice on issues that affect us all when it comes to skin care.
All of us have skin (a profound observation!). All of us are living longer and longer (or at least some of us). Therefore, since we’ll be occupying this skin of ours for a good many years, we might as well make the most of it. This means taking care of our skin. READ MORE ABOUT ROB HARDWICKE